Maryland Lottery Players Win Big on Television Shows

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Deal or No Deal Winners and Cash Extravaganza $1 Million Grand Prize Winner Announced

Three local Marylanders are celebrating in style today. Last night, Celia Elliott from Baltimore became Maryland’s newest millionaire when she won the $1 million Cash Extravaganza Grand Prize. Ernest Collins from Riverdale and Mary Stone from Mt. Airy each won playing Deal or No Deal in Hollywood thanks to a Lottery second-chance contest.

Celia, an elementary school secretary, was randomly selected from more than one million entries during the Cash Extravaganza Internet Promotion. With her family by her side, she took home the $1 million grand prize during the televised event. Overwhelmed with excitement and shock, she told Lottery officials that she plans to pay off her house, make home improvements, and save the rest.

Ernest Collins, Mary Stone and five other lucky winners flew to Hollywood for a chance to play on Deal or No Deal. Players mailed in non-winning Deal or No Deal scratch-offs and the winners were selected from more than 130,000 entries. Ernest was selected to play on the syndicated Deal or No Deal television show, winning $34,000. Mary played the non-broadcast version of the show and won $56,000.

“This was an experience of a lifetime,” said 44-year-old Ernest. “The trip…the people I met…everything was more than I could have ever imagined.” With his winnings, the driver plans to spend a lot of time traveling.

Mary, who works for a Regulatory Consulting firm in Frederick, named her newly adopted dog, Deal, after the show. “Winning the Lottery has changed my life,” said the 45-year-old. “Along with helping this wonderful dog, I plan to make home improvements, save, donate some money, and have some fun!”

Players must be at least 18 years old to play all Maryland Lottery games. The Maryland Lottery encourages responsible play.

The only official winning numbers are the numbers actually drawn. Information should always be verified before it is used in any way. Click here for more information, and click here to view actual Maryland Lottery drawings.

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